Automatic flushing actuator for tank style toilet

• US 7,140,050 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Technical Concepts LLC (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Muderlak, Kenneth J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh, Khoa D.
• Application Number:
  US10/678,865
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 431/3, 440/6, 4DI/G 3, 424/9, 4412-414, 440/5, 4407-411
• US Class Current: 4/405
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/306 with articulated valves
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/10 operated electrically E03D5/01, E03D5/12 take precedence, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/046 with electric means, e.g. electric switches, to control the motor or to control a clutch between the valve and the motor F16K31/041 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0041 for measuring valve parameters F16K37/0033 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 4/03 Electric flushing

Abstract

An automatic flushing actuator that mounts to an overflow pipe in a tank style toilet includes a proximity sensor, a housing enclosing a motor mount and gear assembly, and a rotatably mounted lever on top of the housing. A clamp is adapted to be affixed to the side of the housing and secure the actuator to the overflow pipe. When installing the actuator, the clamp is affixed to the overflow pipe before the housing is mounted onto the clamp. The clamp allows the housing to be removably mounted or locked in position on the clamp. The lever coupled to the top of the housing is rotated to a desired position, and a chain is connected to a handle of the toilet opens the flush valve.

Claims

1. An automatic flushing actuator system for a toilet having a tank and a bowl comprising:

a sensor that detects the presence of an occurrence;

a receiver coupled to said sensor, said receiver being disposed in a housing having a base and a cover, said cover having a horizontally rotatable lever mounted thereon;

a gear mechanism connected to said receiver, said gear mechanism having a cam that engages an actuator rod which is in contact with said lever, wherein said lever is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of said actuator rod relative to said housing; and

a clamp adapted for mounting said housing on a component in the toilet tank.

2. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1, wherein said clamp is removably mounted to said housing.

3. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1, wherein said clamp is permanently mounted to said housing.

4. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1, wherein said clamp is changed from a removable configuration on said housing to a locked configuration by rotating the clamp about 180 degrees.

5. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1 further comprising an insert configured for placement inside said clamp.

6. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1, wherein said component comprises an overflow pipe and said clamp is adapted for being affixed to said overflow pipe.

7. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 6, wherein said housing is adapted for being affixed to said clamp after said clamp is affixed to said overflow pipe.

8. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1 further comprising a turret coupled to an upper portion of said cover.

9. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 8 further comprising a lever assembly coupling said horizontally rotatable lever to said turret.

10. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 9 further comprising serrations on said turret.

11. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 10 further comprising serrations on said inner surface of said lever assembly, wherein said turret serrations engage said lever assembly serrations when said horizontally rotatable lever is rotated thereby establishing said lever assembly in a desired position.

12. The automatic flushing actuator of claim 1 wherein said receiver is wirelessly coupled to said sensor.

13. The actuator of claim 1 further comprising guide rails coupled to said clamp of said housing.